Javelin



Jan. 12 1926.

W. F. REACH .mvmu

Filed June 24, 1925 (inforum,

Patented Jan. l2, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,569,395 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. REACH, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T A. G. SPALDING & BROS., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

i JAVELIN.

Application filed June 24, 1925.

To all whom t may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM F. REACH, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden I and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Javelins, of which the following is a speci.- fication.

The rules governing the throwing of the javelin limit the length, weight and point of balance thereof.

The minimum weight allowed, which of course is that desired by competitors, forces the use of a very slender shaft. The ac- 16 cepted and, so far as I am aware, the only method of javelin construction, has been the provision of a steel point of approximately sixteen inches in length into which has been inserted and secured the end of an ash or 20 birch shaft.

The total length of thevjavelin is approximately eight feet, six inches, and the wood shaft is necessarily relatively long and very slender.

Such construction has resulted in frequent breakage of the wood shafts due to the excessive whip which takes place as the point or head penetrates the ground, which breakage it has thus far been impossible to avoid.

My present invention aims to provide a javelin in which this tendency to breakage will be eliminated and the invention includesk siderably forward of the center, that is, of

a point midway betweenthe ends, and it is between this point of balance and the head, and usually closely adjacent the head, that the breakage occurs. Such a point of balance is indicated by the dotted line In m improved construction, I make. the

head ofysuch length that it is not less than one-third the total length of the javelin, this I6 being the minimum length of the point Serial No. 39,261.

whereby there is a noticeable lessening in the vibration of the shaft.

The tubing of the head is made of such y,

yproduces a javelin which is free from liability of breakage as above described, but one which can be thrown to a eater disn tance, as has been demonstratedT by actual use.

The official rules specify that a javelin lshall be at least 8', 6% in length, not less than 1.76 pounds in weight, and the center of gravity not less than 2.953 feet, nor more than 1.203 yards from the point, and a javeline constructed according to this invention conforms to the above oiiicial specifications.

It is desirable that the forward end of the wood shaft shall extend substantially the full length of the tubing and abut against the closed end or point thereof.

I find that by providin the shaft within the tubing with elongate annular reduced portions indicated at 2a and 2b, I secure a reduction in weight, and this, by its three point contact, facilitates the insertion and securing of the shaft in the tubing in a tightly fitting manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A javelin having a metallic head and a wooden shaft, the head being of a length not less than one-third the length of the shaft, the center of gravity of the avelin being not less than 2.953 feet nor more than 1.203 yards from the point thereof.

2. A javelin having a metallic tubular head and a wooden shaft, the head being of a length not less than one-third the length of the shaft, the portion of the shaft within the head having an elongated annular reduced portion providing spaced contact portions engaging the inner wall of the head.

3. A javelin having a metallic tubular head and a wooden shaft, the head being of a length not less than one-third the length of the shaft, the portion of the shaft within the head having a pair of annular elongated reduced portions giving a three point contact between the shaft and inner wall of the head. A y

In testimony whereof, I affixY In signature.

WILLIAM F. EACH. 

